Shock of deputy shooting prompts awareness at local level

Updated 3:02 pm, Thursday, September 3, 2015

Photo: The Enterprise

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Port Arthur Police Department Chief Mark Blanton

Port Arthur Police Department Chief Mark Blanton

Photo: The Enterprise

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While the number of police officers killed by gunfire this year is down from previous years, it might seem like more due to the eight officers who died by gunfire in August 2015. Click through to see the officers.

While the number of police officers killed by gunfire this year is down from previous years, it might seem like more due to the eight officers who died by gunfire in August 2015. Click through to see the

A large memorial for slain Deputy Darren Goforth continues to grow Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Houston. Goforth was shot while returning to his patrol car Friday at a Chevron gas station. He was shot multiple times in the back and then shot multiple times once he was on the ground. ( Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle ) less

A large memorial for slain Deputy Darren Goforth continues to grow Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Houston. Goforth was shot while returning to his patrol car Friday at a Chevron gas station. He was shot multiple ... more

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Staff

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The community pays respect at a vigil in memory of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth after a Prayer March at the Chevron gas station, where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

The community pays respect at a vigil in memory of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth after a Prayer March at the Chevron gas station, where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. ... more

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff Sgt. Sisto DeLeon, shown with wife June DeLeon, pay their respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory.

Harris County Sheriff Sgt. Sisto DeLeon, shown with wife June DeLeon, pay their respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The

Robert Lamb, of Houston, with sign, along with others, pays his respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Robert Lamb, of Houston, with sign, along with others, pays his respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston ... more

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Waller County Sheriff Chris Morgan, center, pays his respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Waller County Sheriff Chris Morgan, center, pays his respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of ... more

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Community members come out to pay respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Community members come out to pay respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer ... more

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dhaliwal gets a hug from Janet Waldrep at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first deputies on the scene of the shooting. less

Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dhaliwal gets a hug from Janet Waldrep at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of ... more

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dhaliwal, center, grieves with Deputies Dixon, left, and Seibert, right, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first officers on the scene of the shooting. less

Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dhaliwal, center, grieves with Deputies Dixon, left, and Seibert, right, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in ... more

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dhaliwal gets hugs from fellow deputies Seibert, left, Gunter, and Dixon, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first deputies on the scene of the shooting. less

Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dhaliwal gets hugs from fellow deputies Seibert, left, Gunter, and Dixon, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in ... more

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Kelli Maynard and her son Brandon, 11, mourn at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Kelli Maynard and her son Brandon, 11, mourn at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Paula Dominguez, 6, sits in front of a memorial for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. "We live one block away and heard everything," her mother Marilu said. "That's the father of someone," she said.

Paula Dominguez, 6, sits in front of a memorial for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. "We live one block away and

Mourners stand near a vigil for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Mourners stand near a vigil for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Bently Bryant, center, prays with her parents Casey, left, and Carrie at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. "We wanted to pray for the family and all of the hardships they'll face," Casey Bryant said. less

Bently Bryant, center, prays with her parents Casey, left, and Carrie at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. "We wanted to ... more

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Amy Lasko places an item at a memorial set up at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Lasko was one of a handful of organizers who set up a memorial service and a fundraiser for Goforth's family. less

Amy Lasko places an item at a memorial set up at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Lasko was one of a handful of organizers ... more

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Kalyn WIlliams places an item at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Kalyn WIlliams places an item at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Police Officer Walding stops by to pay his respects at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Officer Walding, who patrols Acres Homes, asked his supervisor for some time to pay his respects. "You can't predict an ambush like that," he said.

Houston Police Officer Walding stops by to pay his respects at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Since Friday, when a Harris County deputy was shot and killed at a Chevron gas station, Southeast Texas officers like Carroll have been hyper-aware of their surroundings, especially while at the pump.

Their concerns have been met with an outpouring of community support.

Elementary school kids are coloring paper badges, pledges are circulating on Facebook to wear blue on Friday in support of cops, and a prayer vigil is planned for Sunday in front of the Beaumont Police Department.

Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth was walking out of a gas station Friday night when Shannon Jaruay Miles allegedly ran up behind him, put a gun to the back of his head and fired, according to Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson. Prosecutors said the execution-style slaying was caught on video and seen by witnesses.

Police killed by gunfire

Police officers killed in the line of duty by gunmen, as of Sept. 1. Does not include accidental gunfire or other feloniously related deaths.

2005: 53 deaths

2006: 51 deaths

2007: 51 deaths

2008: 41 deaths

2009: 47 deaths

2010: 59 deaths

2011: 63 deaths

2012: 48 deaths

2013: 31 deaths

2014: 47 deaths

2015: 24 deaths

Source: ODMP.org

Anderson said Miles then stood over Goforth's body and fired 15 rounds into the deputy's back, emptying his .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Carroll, who is a spokesman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, said the random and violent killing of a deputy at a gas station has spurred a number of worried calls from his loved ones.

"I've received phone calls from four of my five siblings since Friday," he said. His wife and daughter have also expressed fear for his safety, he said.

Shooting deaths of officers are actually down 13 percent nationwide when compared with the same January-to-September period in 2014, according to the Associated Press. There were 30 shootings last year and 26 this year.

Public perception that the shooting deaths have increased are likely a result of eight officers being gunned down in the past month, Steve Groeninger, a spokesman for the Officers Memorial Fund, told the Associated Press.

Illinois Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz' death on Tuesday was the most recent incident. In addition to Goforth in Harris County, two Louisiana officers - state trooper Steven J. Vincent and Sunset officer Henry Nelson - were killed last week.

Four fatal shootings in recent days is a higher rate than usual, said Groeninger.

He said it is too soon to say whether officer deaths are trending up.

"The data doesn't say that yet," he told the Associated Press. He also said there is no clearly identifiable pattern in the killings and no conclusions to draw for now, other than "there are people out there who intend to harm police officers for whatever reason."